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Passing Comments

9th January 1953, Page 108
9th January 1953
Page 108
Page 109
Page 108, 9th January 1953 — Passing Comments
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Compacting Road Beds

RESEARCH into road construction in New Jersey, U.S.A., has resulted in the development of a system of road-bed compacting by vibration combined with conventional rolling. The principle is to use a vibrating force and a static weight under favourable conditions. This has produced over 95 per cent. density in road beds down to a depth of 3 ft. or more.• Wire Saves Threads.

WORN threads in holes for bolts and studs can be

repaired by a method developed by the Helt-Coil Corporation, Danbury, Connecticut, U.S.A. In the process, which is said to effect great economy, a coil of stainless-steel wire is inserted into the hole by a special tool. The thread is first cleaned up and retapped so that the outside of the coil will spring securely against it and restore the hole to its original dimensions. This is said to give a higher loading strength and greater resistance to wear and corrosion.

Road Delivery Safest

DURING the Christmas season the attention of

one of our readers was drawn to an interesting piece of advice accompanying a certain domestic electrical appliance which he had bought as a present. In the pamphlet giving the usual instructions for Use and particulars of the guarantee, there were the words "Do not send by parcel post or rail, despatch only by road carrier . . . we cannot hold ourselves responsible for damage in transit unless these instructions are rigidly adhered to.. . ."

A22 Anyone who has seen the manner in which parcels, even those marked "Fragile," are often flung about by certain employees who obviously do not have the slightest regard for their contents, or the troubles which breakages are bound to cause to both senders and recipients, will realize why this advice is given.

Lights Installed to Enforce Limits

ACCORDING to the standing joint committee of 1--1 the R.A.C., A.A. and R.S.A.0 , there appears to be a growing tendency on the part of local authorities to install street lighting almost solely with the object of limiting speed on certain lengths of road, often in areas where the Ministry of Transport does not consider a reduction to a maximum of 30 m.p.h. to be justified. The Minister has power to de-restrict such roads, but this involves a cumbersome procedure and, possibly, a local inquiry. Plans to prevent such extensions of the limit without the specific authority of the Minister are being discussed by the committee.

Luxury Underfoot

DEEP pile beneath the feet is usually the accorn paniment of surroundings of luxury, and in latter times this impression of comfort has been created in the hotel business,. in particular, not by the employment of rapturously expensive floor covering, but by the modern expedient of using woven carpets with a deep sponge-rubber base. As such carpets, made by John Holdsworth and Co., Ltd., of Halifax, can be supplied in colours and patterns to match the moquette employed for coach upholstery, they may well have an appeal to operators.

Moth-proof, dust-proof and water-proof, the sponge-rubber-backed woven carpet is stated not to suffer from moisture or condensation troubles and it cart be cut to any shape without the need for binding. The method of manufacture ensures that the carpets will not stretch and the deep layer of sponge rubber helps to reduce the possibility of drumming within the saloon.

Pump that Changed Design

THE innovation of a small accessory 25 years ago took a great part in changing the course of motor-vehicle design. This was the production of the first mechanical fuel pump of the AC Spark Plug Division of General Motors. It was this device which made the feeding of fuel much more reliable and safe, for it replaCed the vacuum tank, or petrol tank over the engine, whilst being far less costly than pressure-feed systems. It is said also to have

encouraged the use of overhead valves and downdraught carburetters.

A few weeks ago the prototype of this pump was presented to the Smithsonian Institution to join that body's collection of historical automobile innovations.

All Under One Roof

TT may not be generally known that the old' established concern of Merryweather and Sons, Ltd., of Greenwich, a name one immediately associates with fire engines, makes practically every item of equipment which goes with its machines.

Our representative found the hose-making department particularly interesting, the dozens of weaving machines, with their flying shuttles, being in striking contrast to the atmosphere of the foundry. Incidentally, the concern produces "The Fireman," a monthly publication which was started as far back as 1877.


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